Driving through a winter wonderland.
Last night we drove to College Station to have our ‘Christmas’ with Uncle Don and Aunt Betty. For the past several years we’ve created a special ‘Christmas Tradition’ with them that includes a home-cooked meal and a car trip through Santa’s Wonderland.
We drove our Suburban so that all 7 of us could all load up in one vehicle. Once through the gate, we tuned into the park’s special radio station for traditional Christmas music throughout the drive.
Not needing a birds-eye view, I took to the back seat once I snapped off a few shots. I’ll be honest, the lights are loads of fun, but the most fun is listening to the kids literally squeal in delight at each new scene or turn in the road.
One of mine and the kids’ favorite parts is the very beginning – the tunnel of lights.
It’s hard to capture good snapshots inside a car bustling with constant movement, so my photos are a bit on the blurry side; still you get the idea.
Meredith and Kenny were originally BOTH perched in Uncle Don’s lap up in the front seat, with Emelie sitting behind them in the second row pasenger seat. That quickly changed when, much to Kenny’s dismay, Meredith ended up hanging out the window; HE TOO wanted to hang out the window. At our suggestion, Kenny moved back to the second row seat in Aunt Betty’s lap, and then very soon after, all the kids went from hanging-out the windows to sitting IN the windows – getting a birds-eye view of everything.
The ‘burb was barely moving along, but Aunt Betty was holding on to Kenny for dear life.
‘cuz that’s what Aunt Betty’s do, y’know.
Each year Santa’s Wonderland adds new light features – this year they began their conversion to LED lights – and the effect was even more brilliant than it has been in the past.
And of course, being in College Station (our old College Town – Go Texas A&M – WHOOP!), there was a bit of the Spirit of Aggieland.
After the lights we went back to the house for dessert – Mexican Wedding Cake…yummmmmmy! The fact that we were still stuffed from BBQ and all the sides from our dinner BEFORE the light show didn’t hold us back.
It was truly a wonderful night of family fun.
We are so blessed!
12 have spoken up.
Mrs. Wilson
Oh my word. That would be so much fun to do! I can’t believe all the lights – my goodness. The only time I’ve ever heard of College Station is when Noah (my NCAA-football-addicted husband) talks about it – but I have to show him the lights! Goodness, it’s gorgeous.
mamalang
So cool. We have a place about an hours drive away that does lights like this, but you ride on the city’s little open air trams. No hanging out windows to make a mama our Aunt Betty nervous :) Kudos to you for letting them fully enjoy the trip :)
Gayle
Wow! That looks like an amazing place! Mmmm, BBQ sounds so good.
Mr. OMSH
Gig’em Ags. Of course, not this year. Maybe the next…decade.
bethany actually
Aw, this is making me homesick for Flat Iron Farm back in Maryland. It’s a similar drive-through experience with lights and music. We took Annalie there the past two Christmases and she loved it.
I think the photos are awesome, blurry or not!
mommyknows
Uncle Don and Aunt Betty sound GREAT!
We’re doing a horse drawn sleigh-ride through our version called ‘Candy Cane Lane’ next Saturday night, with my aunt and uncle.
I love Christmas!
Great photos.
ashpags
LOL to Mr. OMSH! Um, it was a rebuilding year…yeah, that’s the ticket!
And oh man I’m so jealous! I’m hoping to get up there sometime when I’m back in TX for Christmas because Santa’s Wonderland was always the *best* treat for finishing up finals! =)
midwesternwife
They have something like this back where I grew up. Millions and millions of lights all over town. I used to love getting in the backseat of our car to drive through the displays, then my parents would drive aimlessly around some of the neighborhoods near the display to look at people’s decorations.
Maybe I need to convince my husband to do the same this year, even though we don’t have any kids… I get the backseat!
Elda
TOTALLY COOL. Today was our town’s Festival of Lights and we totally missed it. *snap* No worries, we put up our own Christmas lights today! I almost landed flat on my face for being on the roof – but that’s a story for another time. ;)
Back home (Rio Grande Valley) they also have a huge event like this. (http://www.hidalgotexas.com/lights.html) There are a few singers that will have a day of Posada and give out gifts to the people, but I have yet to brave the crowds.
THANKS FOR SHARING!1one!
Kate
Even as an adult, I love looking at all the Christmas lights.
Thanks for sharing!
naomi
i’ve always liked light displays but the led displays are bringing a whole new neatness to the whole season. i love the way they glow.
that blue light tunnel is gorgeous!
Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife
Oh that’s fabulous. We had something similar nearby but the family that started the tradition moved away.
Can I mention that I miss Texas? I was born and raised here in northern Illinois but I lived in Texas for four years back in the late sixtie’s. I miss the United States of Texas!!!
- Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife
Comment if ya wanna.